#Associations

2020-01-17

ITME Africa 2020: Great expectations for the Italian textile machinery

An Italian textile machinery delegation will be on hand at the upcoming ITME Africa, to be held in Addis Ababa from 14 February to 16 February 2020.

Ethiopia is an emerging production hub for the global textile and garments industry. Cheap labour costs, free trade agreements with major Western markets and a constantly growing economy have made this Sub-Saharan African Country an important destination for the manufacturing of garments by major fashion brands.

Given the necessary upgrade in technology required, the demand for textile machinery is growing consequently, supported by incentive schemes provided by the local authorities to support and develop Ethiopian textile sector.

Italian textile machinery exports to Ethiopia? (million euro) Source: ACIMIT

Thus, the first edition of ITME Africa trade fair will feature 22 Italian textile machinery manufacturers at the Italian pavilion organized by the Italian Trade Agency. Among these are the following ACIMIT associated members: Arioli, Biancalani, Bianco, Bonino, Carù, Corino, Erhardt-Leimer, Fadis, Ferraro, Flainox, Lafer, Loptex, Mariplast, Mcs, Mesdan, Pugi, Ratti, Reggiani, Roj, Santoni, Savio.

ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi is confident in this first edition of ITME Africa, “Our exports to Ethiopia have grown significantly over the past five years, although their overall value remains quite modest (2.8 million euros in 2018).” In 2019 January-July period Italian exports towards Ethiopian market reached a value of 3.3 million euros. Zucchi continues: “The quality of our machine technology is superior to that of our competitors currently operating in this market. Our focus is on getting potential buyers to get to know and appreciate the quality of our technology, through opportunities such as ITME Africa, as well as through the institutional missions organized in recent years, thanks to the support of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and Italian Trade Agency.” ITME Africa will also give Italian exhibitors the opportunity to meet textile companies from Kenya and Tanzania, Countries object of a recent institutional mission.

Italian textile machinery exports to Ethiopia by categories (jan-july 2019) Source: ACIMIT

Turkmenistan: Italian textile machinery focuses on high technology and specialization

The Italian textile machinery industry flies to Ashgabat to participate with a large “Made in Italy” delegation at TURKMEN TEXTILE EXPO 2026, the major international showcase taking place from June 4 to 6, 2026. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), aims to consolidate Italy’s primary technological role in a highly strategic market with interesting prospects.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

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Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

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BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

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VDMA members at Techtextil: Smart technologies for technical textiles

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Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

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Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.